Gigantic thanks to those who reviewed this chapter: Lord Elrond of Hogwarts, Brittany, Roccovende, Legolas is so hot, Captain Jack Rules, Legolas-Aragorn-r-hot, Luinthien, Lady Jaina, Ymmas Sirron, Riva van Dyk, Deana, Dimgwrthien, Gwyn, Elfmage, drew'sgirl, and bant.

Chapter 8: The Truth

Legolas fell limply to the floor.

"Legolas!" Estel cried in horror.

Elrohir raced forward as Elladan dodged around the bed. Elrohir caught the prince moments before his head would have smashed into the hard floor.

"Legolas?" he asked nervously, but the elf did not move.

Elladan rested his hand on Legolas' forehead and pulled it back hastily.

"He's burning up!" he whispered urgently to Elrohir, lifting his friend into his arms and racing to his father.

Estel whimpered softly and sniffed back tears.

'What's wrong with Legolas? What happened?'

'Is it my fault? It must be. If I had found Legolas sooner or done something differently, he'd be alright now.'

"It's my fault," he cried softly to himself.

Elladan and Elrohir brought Legolas into the Hall of Healing and quickly set him on a bed.

"Ada!" Elladan called to his father who was coming down the hall.

"What happened?" Elrond asked. He couldn't have been more relieved to see Elladan back, but he could tell something was horribly wrong with Legolas.

Elladan turned Legolas over gently and showed the poisoned wounds.

Elrond closely inspected the injury and frowned grimly.

Elrohir stayed with Legolas and Elladan went to check on Estel.

Elladan opened the door to his youngest brother's room.

"Oh, Estel," he exclaimed sadly when he saw the small boy crying. He mentally cursed himself for leaving his young brother alone.

He ran to the bedside and pulled the child into his arms and gently rocked him.

"Shh," he said soothingly.

"Where's Legolas?" Estel mumbled into his brother's grasp.

"Resting," Elladan said indistinctly.

Estel pulled back strongly.

"Why won't you tell me what really happened?! What's true!" he cried. "I am not a foolish child who cannot tell when something is wrong and therefore shouldn't be told as not to worry him!"

Elladan sighed sadly at his obvious error of trying to not worry Estel.

"I am sorry, tithin min. I didn't want to frighten you."

"Frighten me how?" Estel asked nervously. "What is wrong?"

"Legolas has been poisoned badly." Elladan said softly.

Estel's silver eyes widened in terror.

"How? When?" he asked frantically.

'Is it my fault?'

Elladan sat up on the bed and tried to calm him.

"One of the orc weapons was poisoned." He said, no need to get into detail.

"When?"

'Was it because I didn't get there in time?'

"Right when you encountered the orcs, Legolas told me. You couldn't have done anything to prevent it." Elladan told his brother.

"Is he going to be alright?"

Elladan looked down for a moment.

'Estel wants the truth. He needs to be told it.'

"It was a strong poison that got through the skin in several wounds and besides the prolonged exposure without any treatment it became infected and the symptoms are progressing faster than they should. Ada is doing everything he can for him." Elladan paused.

"But..?" Estel persisted at his brother's dilemma.

"Hopefully it will just drain him for a while and then he'll recover, but there's also the chance that."

There was no need to elaborate. Estel knew.

Legolas might die.

TBC!